330 



NATURAL HISTOllY 



to have but one solitary hen. These two 

 incongruous animals spent much of their 

 time together in a lonely orchard, where 

 they saw no creature but each other. By 

 degrees an apparent regard began to take 

 place between these two sequestered indi- 

 viduals. The fowl would approach the 

 quadruped with notes of complacency, 

 rubbing herself gently against his legs ; 

 while the horse would look down with 

 satisfaction, and move with the greatest 

 caution and circumspection, lest he should 

 trample on his diminutive companion. 

 Thus by mutual good offices, each seemed 

 to console the vacant hours of the other : 

 so that Milton when he puts the following 

 sentiment in the mouth of Admn, seems to 

 be somewhat mistaken : 



" Much less can bird with beast, or fish with fowl^ 

 So well converse, nor witli the ox the ape." 



I am, &c. 



